12 hour shifts

Gompers, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2006

The families like it too.
When my dad was in the hospital, we learned who was going to be on and when. It was comforting to be sitting in there with him for so long and have familiar faces caring for him. It makes it easier from the other side of the bed as well.

I agree. I often see familes when I come on shift at 7pm, and they like that they know who will be their baby's nurse for the rest of the night. I can remember quite a few times where I'd work my 3 12's in a row, a day shift did the same 3 days, and we'd "share" a patient. It works out great when it's a really sick baby, too - for 72 hours, only 2 nurses would be caring for that baby, back-to-back. Talk about continuity! We love it because we can just jump back into the assignment and not have a long shift change report, the docs love it because they know we "know" the patient, and the parents love it because they don't feel their baby is getting lost in the shuffle.

grentea · Mar 1, 2006

i guess i'm in the minority here, but i just started working eight hour shifts five days a week and i think it's great. i love the fact that that i can have a life when i'm done work. working a few 12's in a row wasn't so bad, but i didn't like the fact that i only got home, ate, went to sleep, got up, and did it all over again. sure i would have two or sometimes three days in a row off but that first day was always a waste, what with me sleeping and recovering from the 12's. a while ago i was scheduled to work a few four or five 12's in a row and that probably soured my viewpoint on 12-hour shifts as well. doing an eight is a piece of cake now! it's done before i know it and i can go home and have fun. i'm happy we have so many choices about shifts out there. :)

vloho · Mar 2, 2006

My problem with 12's back to back is too much. If three 12' are req: for fulltime then what's left? 8's 5 days a week can be a real drain too. with only sat & Sun off. I guess I'm just getting too old for this !:stone

lee1 · Mar 2, 2006

i've been working 12 hour shifts in critical care since 1984. i love it! wouldn't go back to 8s for anything. sure, it gets intense sometimes, and you run your behind off all day long. but those 4 days off a week are worth it!
ruby

would you do those hours on a hi acuity med/surg telemtry unit??? where you might be expected to take up to 6 patients??

Pitbullgirl · Mar 2, 2006

I think it also depends on the area you work. I worked for the last 2.5 years in our Level 1 ED before graduating this past December, and I can tell you that 12 hours is way too long -- too long to not eat, not pee. Our nurses never stop and the acuity is higher than any other area.

I agree that 3 12's would be nice IF you had a chance to eat, go to the bathroom, sit for even 5-10 minutes. Wow, what a concept!

I love the ED, and some day I might work in an ED as a nurse. But for now, I opted to accept an OR internship, where I will work 7a-3p five days. I'd rather have time every day to go to the gym, walk my dogs, etc. than have 12's where all I do is get up, go to work, come home and go to bed! And like I said, I may even ask for 12's in the OR--but the nurses there get breaks and also a lunch--a HUGE difference in burnout, in my opinion.

I_Love_Nursing · Mar 2, 2006

I am a nursing student and we are starting our clinicals this week. They are going to be 12 hour shifts. 6a to 6p. I am kinda worried about it b/c I have NEVER worked a 12 hour shift. I know I will adjust but I have been a stay at home mom for two years now. Any Advice???

HeatherLPN · Mar 2, 2006

I am a nursing student and we are starting our clinicals this week. They are going to be 12 hour shifts. 6a to 6p. I am kinda worried about it b/c I have NEVER worked a 12 hour shift. I know I will adjust but I have been a stay at home mom for two years now. Any Advice???

At first it will be rough, and your back and feet will absolutely kill you, but once you adjust, you should be fine. With clinicals you usually have your pre and post conferences, and you actually get a lunch, so it's not too bad. Some instructors will let you go a little early sometimes too. Good luck.

I_Love_Nursing · Mar 2, 2006

Thanks.. Any advice I can get I am absorbing in. I am so nervous about clincals. They start this week...

Pitbullgirl · Mar 2, 2006

To I_Love_Nursing:

Before you start clinicals, make sure you have a good pair of shoes and maybe even buy some support hose. Those two things can make a big difference in how much your feet and legs ache (or not!) after 12 hrs.

Also, HeatherLPN is correct: During clinicals, you will get a lunch break, plus a couple of other 15 minute breaks. Even during my 6 or 8-hr clinicals, my instructor would let us leave a little early. You have pre and post conference, so that shortens the time you'll be in clinical too.

Best wishes for a great clinical experience!

I_Love_Nursing · Mar 2, 2006

Thanks. I need all the advise I can get. I bought some good shoes that were expensive but worth it. I had surgery on my feet a few years back and I have leg pains pretty bad when Im on my feet all day so I will look into getting those support hose. Thanks again.